New provincial program launched to support energy efficient building retrofits
People looking to retrofit apartments, condominiums and co-operative housing so they are more energy efficient can get some support from the province.
The B.C. Government launched the CleanBC Multi-Unit Retrofit Program, a joint initiative with B>C. Hydro, Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The program provides rebates and energy coaching to building owners, strata councils and equity co-op boards to make the switch to more energy efficient and cleaner technologies in the buildings such as heat pumps, LED lighting, and improved windows and ventilation.
“From record wildfires to historic droughts, British Columbians are seeing the impacts of climate change on their communities and they’re ready to switch from fossil fuels to clean energy, while making their homes more efficient and saving on energy bills,” Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, stated.
“That’s why we are working with BC Hydro to support apartments, condos and co-ops with the up-front costs of completing whole-building retrofits, from highly efficient heat pumps to better windows and ventilation that will make homes more comfortable.”
The province estimated that a building with 65 units could save approximately $16,250 in energy costs by switching from central gas heating to in-suite heat pumps, and that a 130-suite condo could save $18,000 a year by replacing electric baseboards with heat pumps.
The CleanBC Multi-Unit Residential Building Retrofit Program is supported with an investment of $61-million over three years. Of that sum, $26-million will come from the province, with the remaining provided by B.C. Hydro as part of its Energy Efficiency Plan.
“Making smart choices about how we use clean electricity has been core to our business for over 35 years,” Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of B.C. Hydro, stated.
“Energy-efficiency programs defer the need for additional capital infrastructure, helping to keep rates affordable and offer additional flexibility to our electricity system. But equally important, programs like this one and the many others we offer provide our customers with the opportunity to save energy and money.”
Property owners looking to retrofit their buildings can access the program through the CleanBC website.